TERRY CONNOR insists Wolves can still avoid the drop – despite ­falling six points adrift at the bottom.

The Molineux men have only taken one point from a possible 18 under boss Connor and their prospects of survival look bleak with home matches against Arsenal, ­Manchester City and Everton still to come.

But despite throwing away a lead ­yesterday the gaffer is ­adamant his side can escape the clutches of relegation

Connor, below, said: “People can say what they want to say – at the end of the day there are still 21 points to play for.

“Everyone called this a must-win game but there are still seven more to play and I’m not giving up hope until someone tells me we can’t do it.”

Wolves’ frustration at their current plight was evident when captain Roger ­Johnson and keeper Wayne ­Hennessey squared up to each other after Ivan ­Klasnic had been allowed to get a shot away. But Connor added: “It was two ­players showing passion and ­determination to get the right result for the club.”

After dominating the first half without managing to convert, Wolves broke the deadlock after 53 minutes ­courtesy of a low drive from Michael Kightly.

But they subsequently imploded.

Within 10 minutes Bolton had equalised after Mark Davies went down under ­pressure from Johnson and Martin Petrov buried the resulting spot-kick.

Marcos Alonso then bundled in a second for the Trotters 12 minutes from time and they swiftly extended their lead when Kevin Davies slotted home.

Matt Jarvis’s goal gave Wolves hope late on but Bolton held on for their third league win on the bounce to move a point clear of the drop zone in 16th.

Boss Owen Coyle said: “It was a big win. Teams around us have been picking up points and we’ve had to do the same.”